The day turned out to be delightful with good weather. The drive was easy and straightforward, and navigating Bratislava was (in retrospect) easy. Parking was a bit of a chore, but once parked, we were done with that and walked everywhere we wanted to go. The historic core is quite manageable and easy to walk. It was also relatively "cheap," but I could tell the tourist business from Vienna (this is a popular day trip) has had some effect on pricing. Still, it's a fun place to visit, and when I bike through, I will take an extra day to visit again.
But there are always the views! And while we did not tour the castle, I have seen so many castles in my lifetime that I am castled out. Plus, there are few original furnishings left . . .